Editorial: In Westminster, Rutkowski, Chi for Council, Mach for mayor

There are two seats available for Westminster City Council. The city will also get a new mayor, as Margie Rice is retiring at the end of her term. The city is certainly no stranger to economic troubles. It recently had to lay off 67 employees, sales tax revenue is low, and the Council recently had to contend with a deficit exceeding $10 million.

City Manager Mitch Waller addressed much of the deficit, cutting it from $10.4 million to $3.7 million. Without a clear explanation, the Council voted during the summer to place Mr. Waller on administrative leave.

The Council also this year renewed a contract with Shoreline Ambulance Corp., disregarding recommendations from the city staff, police department and fire authority.

Our Editorial Board endorses Helena Rutkowski, a retired school board trustee. We feel she will demonstrate fiscal prudence while addressing the city's growing gang problem. She recognizes that raising taxes during a turbulent economy is not the right path, telling us that she will look for alternate methods to balance the budget.

We also endorse Charlie Nguyen Manh Chi, an engineer who brings to the table his leadership in business. Mr. Chi, who is very involved in his community, hopes to work with Council to balance the budget.

Neither he nor Mrs. Rutkowski is taking off the table privatization of services and pension reform. They also strike us as the two candidates most independent of union and current Council endorsements.

Ha Minh Mach, running for mayor, has also earned our endorsement. He has not shied away from asking tough questions. "I am one of the people who complained about the ambulance issue."

Mach said he will work to curb spending and improve transparency, which he says has not been particularly good. He's also wary of accepting union endorsements. "You become a slave to the union," he said. "I am elected to serve the citizens of Westminster, I simply cannot serve special interests. "

Considering Westminster's current problems, we believe that fresh faces are sorely needed and hope that, if elected, Mrs. Rutkowski, Mr. Chi and Mr. Mach will make the tough decisions to help Westminster balance its budget.

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